Claudius C. Wilson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claudius C. Wilson
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| Born | October 1, 1831 Effingham County, Georgia |
| Died | November 27, 1863 (aged 32) Ringgold, Georgia |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1863 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brigadier General (posthumous) |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Claudius Charles Wilson (born October 1, 1831 – died November 27, 1863) was an important leader in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He started as a colonel and later became a brigade commander. A brigade is a large group of soldiers.
Wilson was promoted to brigadier general on November 16, 1863. This promotion was confirmed posthumously, which means it was made official after he had already passed away. Before the war, Wilson was a lawyer and worked for the U.S. government in eastern Georgia. He died from a fever while serving in the army at Ringgold, Georgia.
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Who Was Claudius C. Wilson?
Claudius C. Wilson was born on October 1, 1831, in Effingham County, Georgia. His father was Dr. Josiah Stewart Wilson. Claudius was also the great-grandson of Brigadier General Daniel Stewart. Daniel Stewart was a general in the Georgia Militia who fought in the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
Early Life and Education
Wilson was a very bright student. He graduated with top honors from Emory College in Oxford, Georgia, in 1851. The next year, he became a lawyer in Savannah, Georgia. In 1859, he was chosen to be the U.S. Solicitor general for eastern Georgia. This job meant he was a chief legal officer for the government. However, he left this job in 1860 to go back to his private law practice. He worked with a law firm called Wilson, Norwood and Lester.
On September 14, 1852, Wilson married Katharine McDuffie Morrison. They had four children together. Two of their children, John M. Wilson and Anna Belle Karow, were still living in Savannah, Georgia, when their mother died in 1904.
Claudius Wilson's Role in the Civil War
Claudius C. Wilson began his service in the Confederate Army on August 9, 1861. He started as a captain in the 25th Georgia Infantry Regiment. He actually helped create this group of soldiers. Soon after, on September 2, 1861, he was promoted to colonel of the regiment. A regiment is a military unit, usually made up of several hundred soldiers.
In 1862, his regiment was stationed along the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia. This included places like Tybee Island and Savannah. During this time, Wilson often acted as a brigade commander.
Leading a Brigade
In June 1863, Wilson officially became a brigade commander. His brigade was part of Major General William H.T. Walker's division. A division is an even larger military unit, made up of several brigades. This division moved to different areas during the war. It was assigned to various departments and corps, which are different types of military groups.
Wilson's brigade was part of General Joseph E. Johnston's forces. They tried to help during the Siege of Vicksburg in Mississippi in early 1863. A siege is when an army surrounds a place to cut off supplies and force it to surrender. Later, they helped defend Jackson, Mississippi.
Hero at Chickamauga
After Vicksburg fell, Wilson's brigade went to Georgia. They were part of the reserve corps at the Battle of Chickamauga. This was a very important battle. Wilson showed great bravery and skill there. On the second day of the battle, Union Army troops had pushed back Confederate cavalry led by Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Wilson quickly led a counterattack. He helped turn the tide of the battle and even captured several artillery pieces (cannons). His actions helped the Confederates win the battle. Because of his excellent conduct, many people recommended that Wilson be promoted to brigadier general.
Claudius C. Wilson was appointed brigadier general on November 16, 1863. However, his promotion was not officially confirmed by the Confederate Senate before he died. He passed away from "camp fever" on November 27, 1863, in Ringgold, Georgia. Today, this illness is usually called typhus. The Confederate Senate later confirmed his promotion on February 17, 1864, after his death.
Where Is Claudius Wilson Buried?
Claudius Charles Wilson was laid to rest at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia.
